Archive for June, 2012

As part of the Colorado Mountain Club’s 100 year celebration, trip leaders were asked to lead as many trips up the top 100 highest peaks in Colorado. I selected to lead three separate trips, under this Centennial Celebration!

CMC Strong Mountain Mamas!

CMC Strong Mountain Men!

On Saturday, I led a trip up Tenmile Peak 1, which was actually a training trip for one of my three Centennial Celebration trips. All the folks hiking Tenmile had the intention of later summitting Pigeon and Turret Peaks.

As the trip leader, I was anxious to see how the personalities would settle and if people would pull together as a team, or if ego’s or differences in hiking speeds would be a problem.

Robert was kind enough to lead a special glacier safety session on St. Mary’s Glacier. I was very excited he was going to spend a few hours with us going over glacier travel and glissading. It had been a few years since I practiced.

An example of a snow anchor

Around my birthday, I was invited to join an unguided trip on an attempt to climb Mt. Rainier! Of course I said yes. Almost immediately, I booked a flight to Seattle and started shopping for gear. I had about 5 weeks to obtain all the gear and get my body in shape to carry the weight ~57 lbs! I could not believe my luck, but also was a bit nervous about whether I would remember the skills with the ax as well as snow travel.

I had just purchased a brand new ice axe, so I wanted to make sure it was the right size for me. I ended up returning it for one that was a couple inches longer.

THANK YOU A MILLION to ROBERT for working with me on my glissade technique! It gave me the confidence I needed to go on the trip, knowing that I could self arrest!

On Saturday, I led a CMC Rock Climbing Trip to the West Ridge of Eldorado Canyon. I love the West Ridge for it’s assortment of moderate climbs.

Rick was my co-leader, helping me to set up climbs and keep things flowing smoothly. We had Jorge, Chris, Nick, Roger, and Chris.

We focused our attention on Washington Irving, The Unsaid (TR), Positively Fourth Street (TR), Lunar Avenue (TR), and Dr. Michael Solar. When we finished, the temperature was hovering near 100dF, so we decided to call it a day.

Last year, I climbed almost to the summit of Bison Peak, on Father’s Day. It was so inspiring, I vowed to come back with a rope and some gear! Fast forward one year and it was time to go exploring!

Erin and I decided to drive out to the Ute Creek trail head on Saturday, backpack up to a suitable camping spot and erect our tent. Then, all day Sunday, we’d climb and explore the area around Bison Peak. We were both totally amped for this trip. (more…)

It was a beautiful day to be climbing in Eldorado Canyon. In the shade, on the West side of Redgarden, it was a bit chilly. With temps between 50 dF and 60 dF, we were relieved there wasn’t any wind. I was excited to do Ytrid Deed. Having done Icarus and Swanson’s Arete, I had been staring at the huge swath of rock in between and wondering about the fractured cracks. (more…)